Reuters news agency denounced a report by the Egyptian local newspaper Al-Youm Al-Sabaa saying that the agency’s Cairo bureau chief Michael Georgy had left the country fearing the legal consequences after publishing a report about the murder of the Italian researcher Guilio Regeni.

According to a statement obtained by Daily News Egypt, Georgy is travelling on business.

“We stand by the story regarding the detention of an Italian student, Giulio Regeni. The story did not state who is responsible for his death, and is consistent with Reuters’ commitment to accurate and independent journalism,” the statement read.

The statement also added that the agency cannot verify whether a complaint has been filed against Reuters regarding the story.

The Egyptian Ministry of Interior refuted the Reuters report in a statement earlier published on its official Facebook page. “The Ministry of Interior maintains its right to take the legal measures against those who disseminate rumours,” the statement read.

The report published by Al-Youm Al-Sabaa cited anonymous sources saying that Georgy has “fled” the country to Switzerland.

The report also added that Reuters headquarters blamed Georgy for publishing the story.

Reuters had published a report on Thursday citing anonymous police sources that confirmed Regeni was detained by Egyptian police prior to his death.